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Minimal running footwear, a case study in enabling design Research Completed

Title

Minimal running footwear, a case study in enabling design

Lead Author

Reid Allan Douglas

Organisation(s)

Auckland University of Technology

Publication Year

2013

Publisher

Auckland University of Technology

Contacts

Stephen Reay, stephen.reay@aut.ac.nz ; Andrew Withell, andrew.withell@aut.ac.nz

Abstract

A dramatic shift in how we design is required in order to move toward sustainable production and consumption. Such a paradigm shift is daunting and often seems inaccessible to young designers. This conceptual exploration of minimal running footwear, is a case study in developing a personal sustainable framework termed ‘enabling design.’ It is claimed that design purely for comfort and convenience is having adverse effects on our planet. ‘Enabling design’ focuses on how behavioural change might encourage pragmatic approaches to sustainability such as design for disassembly and stewardship schemes. This thesis maps my journey through an early research phase, concept development process and project evaluation. This is a highly visual document that draws four key reflections around, design process, design research, industry learning and enabling design.

Keywords: sustainability, running, footwear, design

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